UK Government Considers Subsidies for Biomass Generators Amid Controversy

Drax's plan to become the world's first 'carbon-negative' power plant faces criticism over environmental impact and cost to taxpayers.

The UK Government has launched a consultation to explore the provision of more subsidies to large-scale biomass generators, including Drax, the country's biggest power station.
Drax, which switched from burning coal to burning wood pellets in 2019, has been approved to install carbon capture technology at its site, potentially making it the world's first 'carbon-negative' power plant.
The proposal has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that biomass is not a clean energy source and that the carbon capture technology is unproven and expensive.
Drax has been accused of using wood from environmentally important forests, and a study suggests it could take up to 100 years for replanted trees to absorb the equivalent amount of carbon emitted in biomass plants.
The project is expected to cost around £2bn, with a significant portion needing to be provided by the British government, potentially costing taxpayers an extra £43bn in bills over the next 25 years according to Ember.